Multi-layered skate wheel

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a wheel that may be used with in-line skates, conventional roller skates, skateboards or the like. The wheel of the present invention includes a hub having a tire body circumscribing thereto. This tire body includes a first layer fabricated from a first material that is secured to a second layer fabricated from a second material. Each layer being circumscribing attached to the hub. Thus providing for each layer to be exposed. The first layer or first material is preferably polyurethane having a first durometer, known as a hard durometer polyurethane. The second layer or second material is preferably a polyurethane having a second durometer, different from the first, known as a softer durometer.

This is a Utility Patent Application for Provisionally File ApplicationNo. 60/544,102.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a multi-layered skate wheeland more particularly to a multi-layered skate wheel preferably for usewith in-line skates, skate boards, or the like, comprising multipleexposed polyurethane layers having varied durometers. This configurationwill provide a versatile wheel for enabling efficient grippingcapabilities, especially for turns or the like, without sacrificingspeed, shock absorption and/or traction.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A skater's performance depends not only on the skater's skill, but alsorelies heavily on the structure and design of the particular wheel. Ahard wheel, for example, provides adequate means for speed, but lacksefficient vibration absorption. A soft wheel, for example, providesadequate vibration absorption with increase traction, inherentlydecreasing speed capabilities.

Thus it is seen there is a need to improve on the convention wheel. Forexample in U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,622 issued to Roderick et al, there isdisclosed a multilayer skate wheel. This wheel includes an inner layerand an outer layer, each layer having differing durometers. Though thiswheel may offer a means of improving damping and/or grip, this wheeldoes not address the need for gripping and speed, especially whenmaneuvering and/or turning with the skates.

Accordingly, it is seen that previous efforts do not provide thebenefits intended with the present invention, such as providing a longlasting, durable and aesthetically pleasing product. Additionally, priortechniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of componentelements as disclosed and claimed herein. The present invention achievesits intended purposes, objectives and advantages over the prior artdevice through a new, useful and unobvious combination of componentelements, which is simple to use, with the utilization of a minimumnumber of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture,assemble, test and by employing only readily available material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a wheel that may be used with in-line skates,conventional roller skates, skateboards or the like. The wheel of thepresent invention includes a hub having a tire body circumscribingthereto. This tire body includes a first layer fabricated from a firstmaterial that is secured to a second layer fabricated from a secondmaterial. Each layer being circumscribing attached to the hub. Thusproviding for each layer to be exposed. The first layer or firstmaterial is preferably polyurethane having a first durometer, known as ahard durometer polyurethane. The second layer or second material ispreferably a polyurethane having a second durometer, different from thefirst, known as a softer durometer.

Having two exposed layers, each of different durometers, provides for awheel with added versatility and durability. In use, the hard durometerpolyurethane will enable the skater the adequate speed for a successfulrun, while the softer durometer polyurethane will render adequate andefficient gripping for facilitating turns or the like. This willultimately provide a user with a wheel that offers adequate controlinherently increasing speed and safety during use.

Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide for awheel for use with in-line skates, skateboards or the like which willovercome the deficiencies, shortcomings, and drawbacks of prior wheelsand methods thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel for usewith in-line skates that offers adequate control and traction for turnsand the like, without sacrificing speed or shock absorption.

Still another object of the present invention, to be specificallyenumerated herein, is to provide a wheel in accordance with thepreceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms ofmanufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to providea device that would be economically feasible, long lasting andrelatively trouble free in operation.

Although there have been many inventions related to a wheels for usewith in-line skates, conventional skates, skate boards or the like, noneof the inventions have address a versatile wheel have multiple exposedlayers. The present invention meets the requirements of the simplifieddesign, compact size, low initial cost, low operating cost, ease ofinstallation and maintainability, and minimal amount of training tosuccessfully employ the invention.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of theinvention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrativeof some of the more prominent features and application of the intendedinvention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying thedisclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the inventionwithin the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, a fuller understandingof the invention may be had by referring to the detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the inventiondefined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the wheel of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the wheel of the present invention,taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-2 thereof, thewheel 10, of the present invention will be described. The presentinvention is a wheel 10 which is designed and configured, or as seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, to be used with conventional in-line skates, rollerskates, skate boards or the like.

The wheel 10 comprises a hub 12, having a flange portion 14, and a tirebody 16. The tire body 16 includes a first layer 18 and a second layer20. This hub includes substantially conventional features, such as acentral aperture (illustrated, but not labeled), so as to enablesecurement to conventional axles. The flange portion 14 of the hubextends partially into each layer of the tire body for renderingadequate adhesion thereto. The flange portion enhances the conventionalhub so as to allow for the first and second layers to be securedthereto.

Each layer, 18 and 20, is exposed to provide for the layers to be indirect contact to the desired skating surface. Thus providing for eachlayer to perform a specific purpose and task. The first layer 18 isfabricated from a first material. This first material is a harddurometer polyurethane. The second layer 20 is fabricated from a secondmaterial. This second material is softer than the first material.

The purpose of the first layer 18 is to allow for the wheel to travel ata high velocity or speed when on a smooth surface. The purpose of thesecond layer 20, is to provide adequate grip and vibration absorptionwhen turning or maneuvering the wheel. This configuration willinherently enhance performance and durability.

Providing for such an outcome, the first layer 18 is ideally fabricatedfrom a polyurethane with a Shore A hardness between 85 A and 100 A. Thesecond layer 20 is ideally fabricated from a polyurethane with a Shore Ahardness between 75 A-90 A.

For added durability, the width W1 of the first layer is larger than thewidth W2 of the second layer. Preferably, first layer should be between51% to 75% of the total width of the wheel.

To provide for an aesthetically pleasing product, each layer can befabricated from a different color.

EXAMPLE

By way of example, pluralities of wheels as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2have been made and have been utilized. These wheels were fabricated asdefined below and used on conventional in-line skates. The userssuccessfully competed in races utilizing the wheels. The wheels finaldimensions included a height of 84 mm and a width of 0.938 inches. LayerDurometer/Width Layer A   91 A Layer B   89 A width W1 .591 inches widthW2 .344 inches

It was observed that the wheels, as fabricated from the abovedimensions, preformed exceptionally well. Speed was not hindered. LayerB allowed the user adequate gripping and resistance during turns, whileLayer A allow for continual speed during use. The overall performance ofthe skater, when utilizing the wheels as defined above, improveddrastically.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A wheel comprising: a first layer fabricated from a first material; asecond layer fabricated from a second material; a hub; said first layerand said second layer being secured to said hub; said first layer andsaid second layer being exposed and circumferencly surrounding said hub;and said first material being different than said second material.
 2. Awheel as in claim 1 wherein said hub further includes a flange thatextends upwardly and circumferenially and extends into said first layerand said second layer.
 3. A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said firstmaterial is a hard material and said second material is softer than saidfirst material.
 4. A wheel as in claim 2 wherein said first material isa hard material and said second material is softer than said firstmaterial.
 5. A wheel as in claim 1 wherein first layer has a first widthand said second layer has a second width and said first layer is largerin width than said second layer.
 6. A wheel as in claim 5 wherein saidfirst layer is substantially between 51% to 75% of a total width of saidwheel.
 7. A wheel as in claim 5 wherein said first layer is fabricatedfrom a hard durometer.
 8. A wheel as in claim 5 wherein said first layeris fabricated from polyurethane.
 9. A wheel as in claim 8 wherein saidsecond layer is fabricated from polyurethane.
 10. A wheel as in claim 7wherein said first material including Shore A hardness between 85 A and100 A.
 11. A wheel as in claim 10 wherein said second material includingShore A hardness between 75 A-90 A.
 12. A wheel as in claim 11 whereinsaid hub further includes a flange that extends upwardly andcircumferenially and extends into said first layer and said secondlayer.
 13. A wheel as in claim 11 wherein said first layer is fabricatedfrom polyurethane.
 14. A wheel as in claim 13 wherein said second layeris fabricated from polyurethane.
 15. A wheel as in claim 14 wherein saidfirst layer is substantially between 51% to 75% of a total width of saidfirst layer and said second layer.
 16. A wheel as in claim 1 whereinsaid wheel is adapted to fit on a roller skate.
 17. A wheel as in claim15 wherein said wheel is adapted to fit on a roller skate.
 18. A wheelas in claim 14 wherein said first material including Shore A hardness 91A and said second material including Shore A hardness
 89. 19. A wheel asin claim 18 said first layer is substantially between 51% to 75% of atotal width of said first layer and said second layer.
 20. A wheel as inclaim 19 wherein said first layer is substantially between 60% to 64% ofa total width of said first layer and said second layer